Electronic devices are an essential part of our lives, so how can parents manage their child’s screen time without sacrificing learning?
Managing screen time: the basics
Let’s get this right off the bat – when it comes to managing screen time, parents basically have two options:
- Remove (or restrict) access to electronic devices.
- Encourage better, more educational usage of electronic devices.
Let’s discuss each of these options in greater detail!
Restricting access to electronic devices
Temporarily restricting access to a child’s electronic devices is a controversial topic, including when measures are taken in schools to prevent students from using mobile phones during class time.
While there are some situations where restricting access to electronic devices at home can be constructive, we generally would not recommend relying on this approach as a punishment. This only reinforces the idea that “no phone equals bad” in the student’s mind, and that’s the opposite of what we’re trying to accomplish.
In addition, it’s crucial for us to remember that mobile phones now play a constructive role towards a student’s personal identity and sense of independence – especially during their teenage years. Simply “taking away the phone” can damage your child’s trust and may end up doing far more harm than good. Think about it – to many students, their phone is their one and only prized possession.
A better way to restrict access to electronic devices would be to plan a “phone-free” time period in advance, ideally on a regularly scheduled basis. We highly encourage parents to use this time to organize learning activities, set up a study area, or even read a book together in the living room.
As a friendly reminder, remember that children are very impressionable. Kids are more resistant to put down their phones if we continue to use ours right in front of them – and as many parents know, kids are often quick to point this out! We encourage parents to set a healthy example themselves by “unplugging” now and then.
On the topic of restriction to smart devices, a subset option would be website blocking. Although educational filters can certainly be helpful, parents should be aware that determined students will (and always have) found methods of bypassing these safety protocols. Unless your student has a routine habit of stumbling upon websites they shouldn’t be visiting, we wouldn’t recommend strict blocking as your first approach. The filters themselves are never perfect and are even known to mistakenly block access to legitimate educational resources.
In general, while restricting access to certain electronic devices, websites, or apps can be a viable option in extreme situations (like social media addiction, which is a very real thing among youth) we’d recommend a more constructive, educational approach for most families.
Encouraging educational usage of devices
When it comes down to it, trying to avoid electronic devices in 2024 is a futile attempt. The fact is that many students are simply required to use electronic devices on a daily basis – classroom portals are online, textbooks are digital, study guides are on the teacher’s website, quizzes are on an exam module…you get the point! In today’s day and age, students simply need to allot a certain number of hours to electronic devices – and that’s to be expected.
What parents can do is encourage better usage of electronic devices during leisure time. From educational documentaries to scavenger hunting apps, there are tons of fun learning activities that incorporate the usage of electronic devices in a meaningful and engaging way.
